Ribs

[Arearea]

I have to replace my 15 year old Tinker dinghy. I would like a hard bottomed tender in the 2.60 to 2.70 m length class. Any experiences on what to buy or what to avoid? I have davits but would like to store the tender on deck on longer passages. With thanks, Leonard

 

[AlJones]

Hi!

I highly recommend that you contact Glenn at SEMS Ltd.

They have a massive selection of ribs and tenders available for sale, and they are a great sounding block for advice.

You can contact them on 01268-534 427.

I have no commercial interest in this company, only a very happy customer!! And I believe good service should be complimented!!

Ask to speak with Glen though, he owns the company, and has done for thirty years!!

Good luck.

Al.

 

[Pincoya]

Look at the Avon Rib Rover Lite.

We have one and it is perfect. The folding transom means we can stow it in its bag, loks like a big surfboard, on the foredeck when on passage.

Paul

 

[Arearea]

Thanks for the feedback. Do you have the 2.60m one? I am a little surprised that it only transports three people while my Tinker is allowed four. Buoyancy is the same at 400 kg. With thanks again, Leonard

 

[douglas_family]

just wondering why your not going for another Tinker. i have no experience but the mags all seem to love them?

 

[ChrisE]

Tinkers are a semi-submersible, low prow and in any chop at all fill up with water over the front. Trust me, I had one for 3 years and wouldn't have one given.

Regarding a RIB, have you considered something like a Zodiac fastroller, pump up rib base and can be stored like a regular inflatable?

 

[Pincoya]

Leonard,

We have the 3.10 model which carries four people easily. We use it with a 2 stroke 15hp engine (although the dinghy is actually rated for a 10hp 4 stroke engine). it is very compact when packed away and I even store a few additional bits and pieces in it when underway.

As an added bonus, we can easily slip the whole thing down the companionway if we wish for additional security when away from the boat for longer periods.

For us, the way the dinghy folds and stows gives us much more flexibility than a conventional dinghy that rolls away. It sits on the foredeck, beneath the staysail where it is no bother and doesn't limit visibility.

Paul

 

[Richard10002]

At the moment dont buy a Seago. ust been ashore with a couple who bought one 9 months ago and bits are coming unstuck. They recently met someone else with a Seago who had the same problem, but theirs was fine at the time.

Could be a batch problem, or an ongoing production problem.

They have emailed Seago and are awaiting a reply.

Richard

 

[LadyJessie]

When I needed to replace my dingy four years ago, YM happened to have a test of inflatables. I thought they must know more than I do so I went for the "Editor's Choice": a Suzumar 270. I cannot recommend it more highly myself. It has done a lot of hard work over the last four years and has performed perfectly. It is very stable even in a choppy sea. It has lots of handholds and can easily take four people with lots of luggage. The bow is high so you will not have the "Tinker problem" of scooping up water. It has a pump-up bottom and keel which I prefer to a fixed hard bottom; much easier to stow and just as stable when pumped up well. I have a 4hp Yamaha that is enough to drive it and even to plane with impressing speed if you are alone.

To find Suzumar, google them or "Suzuki Marine".

 

[Mr Cassandra]

I am interested in a Walker bay tender /rib/ sailboat with tube very interesting piece of kit does anyone have information .good or bad and what about that Plastimo plastic tender? cheers bobt.

 

[bestintentions]

Ive just bought a Walker Bay / Genesis Rib - its really quite light as its a solid plastic floor rather than fibreglass and has proper floorboards and harness point for an external fuel tank - excellent boat in my opinion ... Transom can fold flat too for easy stowage ...

 

[freeman]

Look at the quicksilver 270.
We bought one in 1999 and have given it a very hard life.
It is tired now but has served us very well.
It is much lighter than the avon

 

[Troutbridge]

If you're going anywhere near the tropics get one made from Hypalon.

 

[roly_voya]

I use a Walker Bay 10, did not get the inflation coller but pop rivited some fenders around the gunwale. Great workhorse for coastal sailing, indestructable, can leave it on a mooring and no problems even if it compleatly fills (6 wet weeks 2 summers ago), runs well on a 4hp 4st but probably only needs 2hp (doesnt plane) tows well, I have had it out in f6-7 with 2m swell and didn't get a drop in towing on 10-15m line and of course being a proper rigid boat rowing is incomparable compared to inflatables or even ribs

 

[freeman]

We have just bought an Aluminium 2.80 RIB made by Southern Pacific in NZ. If certainly looks to be well made , properly strenghened and light. At £750 I did not hesitate.